Method for the fractionation of molasses

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for the fractionation of molasses using a chromatographic simulated moving bed system in which the liquid flow is effected in a single direction in a system comprising at least two chromatographic partial packing material beds. In the method of the invention, the product or products are recovered during a multi-step sequence comprising the following phases: feeding phase of molasses, eluting phase and recycling phase. The liquid present in the partial packing material beds with their dry solids profile is recycled in the recycling phase in a loop comprising one, two or several partial packing material beds.

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No.08/925,903, filed Sep. 9, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,326, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 08/541,568, filed Oct. 10, 1995,now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.08/187,421, filed Jan. 25, 1994, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to a method for the fractionation ofmolasses using a chromatographic simulated moving bed system in whichthe liquid flow is effected in a single direction in a system comprisingat least two chromatographic partial packing material beds.Fractionation of molasses denotes fractionation of variousvegetable-derived by-products of the food and fermenting industries,such as beet and cane molasses, stillage, vinasse, slop, wood molasses,corn steep water, wheat, barley and corn molasses (hydrolyzed C starch).In the method of the invention, the product or products are recoveredduring a multi-step sequence comprising the following phases: feedingphase of molasses, eluting phase and recycling phase.

The liquid present in the partial packing material beds with their drysolids profile is recycled in the recycling phase in a loop comprisingone, two or several partial packing material beds.

These phases are employed to form sequences comprising several processsteps. In accordance with the invention, a sequence preferably comprisesfive to ten steps. A step comprises for example

a molasses feeding phase and/or feeding of an eluant liquid and recoveryof the product or products, or

an eluting phase with recovery of a product or products, or

recycling phase and eluting phase with recovery of a product orproducts, or

two or more recycling phases.

Sequences comprising said steps are repeated five to seven times toreach an equilibrium.

Typically from three to twelve, preferably three to six chromatographicpartial packing material beds are employed. A loop may comprise one, twoor several partial packing material beds. Strongly acid cation exchangeresin is preferably used as the column packing material.

The simulated moving bed system has been developed and introduced by UOP(United Oil Products), U.S.A., at the beginning of the 1960's, initiallyfor petrochemical applications (U.S. Pat. No. 2,985,589). Today severalsimulated moving bed methods for a number of different applications areknown (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,706,812, 4,157,267, 4,267,054, 4,293,346,4,312,678, 4,313,015, 4,332,623, 4,359,430, 4,379,751, 4,402,832,4,412,866, 4,461,649, 4,533,398 and 5,127,957, and published Europeanapplication 0,279,946).

The simulated moving bed system enables separating performances that aremany times higher, and lower dilution of the products (consumption ofeluent) than in the batch method.

The simulated moving bed method is either continuous or sequential.

In a continuous simulated moving bed method, all flows are continuous.These flows are: feeding of feed solution and eluant liquid, recyclingof liquid mixture and recovery of products (usually only two). The flowrate for these flows may be adjusted in accordance with the separationgoals (yield, purity, capacity). Normally, 8 to 20 partial packingmaterial beds are combined into a single loop. In accordance with theabove-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,832, the recycling phases have beenapplied to the recycling of dilute fractions. The feed and productrecovery points are shifted cyclically in the downstream direction. Onaccount of the feed of eluent liquid and feed solution (and on accountof recovery of products) and the flow through the packing material bed,a dry solids profile is formed. Ingredients having a lower migrationrate in the packing bed are concentrated at the downstream end of thedry solids profile, and respectively ingredients having a highermigration rate at the upstream end. Feeding points for feeding solutionand eluent liquid and recovery points for product or products areshifted gradually at substantially the same rate at which the dry solidsprofile moves in the bed. The product or products are recoveredsubstantially from the upstream and downstream end of the dry solidsprofile, and the feed solution is fed approximately to the maximum pointof the dry solids profile and the eluent liquid approximately to theminimum point of the dry solids profile. Part of the separated productfraction is recycled on account of the continuous cyclic flow and asonly part of the dry solids profile is removed from the packing materialbed.

The cyclical shifting of the feed and recovery points is performed byusing feed and recovery valves disposed along the packing material bedat the upstream and downstream end of each partial packing material bed.If it is desired to recover product fractions of high purity, shortphase times and a plurality of partial packing material beds must beemployed (the apparatus has corresponding valves and feed and recoveryequipment).

In a sequential simulated moving bed method, not all flows arecontinuous. In a sequential simulated moving bed method the flows are:feeding of feed solution and eluent liquid, recycling of liquid mixtureand recovery of products (two to four or more products; e.g. betaine asa third fraction in beet molasses separation and monosaccharides in canesugar separation). The flow rate and the volumes of the different feedsand product fractions may be adjusted in accordance with the separationgoals (yield, purity, capacity). The method comprises three basicphases: feeding, elution, and recycling. During the feed phase, a feedsolution and possibly also an eluent liquid is fed into predeterminedpartial packing material beds, and simultaneously two or even threeproduct fractions are recovered. During the eluting phase, eluent liquidis fed into a predetermined partial packing material bed, and duringsaid phases one or even two product fractions are recovered in additionto the residue. During the recycling phase, no feed solution or eluentliquid is fed into the partial packing material beds and no products arerecovered.

Finnish Patent Application 882740 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,957) discloses amethod for recovery of betaine and sucrose from beet molasses using asequential simulated moving bed method, the chromatographic systemtherein comprising at least three chromatographic partial packingmaterial beds connected in series and adapted for the flow of liquids ina single direction in partial packing material beds, in which methodbetaine and sucrose are separated during the same sequence comprising:

molasses feeding phase, in which a molasses feed solution is fed intoone of said partial packing material beds and in which eluent water isfed substantially simultaneously into another partial packing materialbed,

feeding phase of eluent water, and

recycling phase,

these phases being repeated either once or several times during thesequence.

A novel sequential simulated moving bed method has now been developed,which is particularly suitable for the fractionation of molasses Thenovel method yields a purer sucrose solution with a better yield and/orcapacity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a flow chart of the pilot plant of Example 1.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of the pilot plant of Example 2.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of the pilot plant of Example 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the novel method, the liquid flow is arranged in a single directionin a system comprising at least two partial packing material beds, andthe product is/products are recovered during a multi-step sequence. Thepartial packing material bed usually comprises one column. The sequencecomprises feeding, eluting and recycling phases. During the recyclingphase, the liquid in the partial packing material beds with their drysolids profile is recycled in a loop comprising one, two or severalpartial packing material beds.

Therefore, in the novel method recycling is employed in a novel way. Inthe recycling phase one, two or three or even more separate successiveloops are formed. For example, the number of columns being four, theloop preferably comprises two columns. The loop may be closed or “open”,i.e., when liquid is recycled in the other loop, eluent liquid can befed into the other loop and the product fraction can be recoveredtherefrom. During feed and elution, the flow through the packingmaterial beds may be effected between successive loops, the flowsconveying material from one loop to another. During the recycling phase,the loop is closed and separated from the other loops. One separate drysolids profile is recycled in each loop.

Molasses is rich in various coloured components (colourants) which weredifficult to remove completely enough by the earlier methods. Separatecolour-removing phases were needed, or two-step crystallization had tobe used to obtain a colourless product. The novel method according tothe invention affords even 90% or greater colour removal in the molassesfractionating phase alone. The major part of the colour is separatedalready in the column group of that loop to which the feed solution issupplied, and it will not essentially contaminate the column groups ofthe second (or third) loop. Continuous and stable colour removal isachieved. When a batch method or conventional simulated moving bedmethods (continuous or sequential), for instance, are employed, colourremoval is normally only 75-80% in continuous long-term separation.

Also the separation of non-sugars, i.e. salts, is efficient when themethod of the invention is used, and thus the sucrose content of thesugar fraction obtained from the separation can be very high, usually inadvantageous cases in excess of 92-95% on the dry solids. The majorityof the salts is separated already in the column group of that loop towhich the feed solution is supplied, and thus the ion exclusion is morecomplete in the following loops. The result is a more symmetrical,sharper and higher sucrose peak, in other words, better separation ofsucrose is achieved. When the batch method or conventional simulatedmoving bed methods (continuous or sequential), for instance, areemployed, the sucrose content of the sugar fraction is in advantageouscases usually about or below 90-92% on the dry solids.

A strongly acid, gel-type cation exchange resin (e.g. “Zerolit 225”,“Finex” or “Purolite”) preferably in the sodium or potassium form isused as a packing for the columns.

Prior to the chromatographic fractionation, the feed solution (beetmolasses) is preferably diluted with water to 20-65% by weight, softenedwith sodium carbonate and finally filtered using diatomaceous earth as afiltering aid. Prior to feed into separation columns, the molassessolution is heated to 40-85° C. and even to 95° C.

Water preferably at 40-85° C. is used for the elution.

The flow rate of the liquid in the columns is 0.5-10 m³/h/m², even 20m³/h/m².

The following examples illustrate the novel sequential simulated movingbed method for the fractionation of molasses. These examples shall notbe regarded as restricting the scope of the invention, as they are onlyexamples of employing the method according to the invention to recoversucrose and betaine from beet molasses.

EXAMPLE 1

A pilot plant scale chromatographic test apparatus was employed. Theapparatus included four columns, feed pumps, recycling pumps, eluentwater pumps, flow and pressure regulators, and inlet and outlet valvesfor the different process streams. The flowchart is shown in FIG. 1.

The columns were packed with a strongly acid cation exchange resin(“Purolite”). The resin had a polystyrene/divinylbenzene backbone andwas activated with sulphonic acid groups; the mean spherule size wasabout 0.36 mm. The resin had a DVB content of 5.5%. Initially the resinhad been regenerated to sodium form, and during the run it was balancedwith cations from the feed molasses.

Test conditions: Diameter of columns  200 mm Height of resin bed/ 2800mm column Temperature 75° C. Flow rate 40, 50, 70 and 90 l/h

The feed solution consisted of beet molasses wherefrom calcium had beenremoved by adding sodium carbonate (pH 9) and filtering the precipitateoff using diatomaceous earth as an aid.

The separation of sucrose and betaine was performed by an eight-stepsequence in which each column had its specific function. As shown inFIG. 1, steps 5, 6 and 7 each comprise one recycling phase and onefeeding phase for eluent water, and step 8 two recycling phases. Theduration of the sequence was 79 minutes and the sucrose yield 84.0% (onthe amount of sucrose fed).

Step 1: Molasses was fed (feeding phase) into column 1 at flow rate 50l/h, and the residue fraction was eluted from the downstream end of thecolumn. Simultaneously water was supplied (eluting phase) to column 2 ata flow rate 90 l/h, and a recycling fraction and sucrose were elutedfrom column 4. Said recycling fraction was used to dilute the rawmaterial (molasses).

Step 2: Feeding of molasses into column 1 and elution of residue fromthe downstream end of column 1 were continued. Simultaneously water wassupplied to columns 2 and 4 at a flow rate 90 l/h, the residue fractionwas eluted from column 3, and the elution of sucrose was continued fromcolumn 4.

Step 3: Water was fed into columns 1 (50 l/h) and 4 (90 l/h), and theresidue fraction was eluted from columns 1 and 3.

Step 4: Water was fed into column 2 at a rate 90 l/h, and the residuefraction was eluted from column 3.

Step 5: Recycling (recycling phase) in columns 1 and 2 at a rate 90 l/h;simultaneously water was supplied to column 3 at a rate 70 l/h and thebetaine fraction was eluted from column 4.

Step 6: Water was fed into column 1 at a rate 90 l/h and the residuefraction was eluted from column 2; simultaneous recycling in columns 3and 4 at a rate 70 l/h.

Step 7: Recycling in columns 1 and 2 at a rate 90 l/h.

Step 8: Recycling in columns 1 and 2 at a rate 90 l/h and in columns 3and 4 at a rate 40 l/h.

After the sequence was completed, the process control program wascontinued and it returned to step 1. By repeating this sequence five toseven times, an equilibrium was reached in the system. The run wascontinued in a state of equilibrium, and product fractions with aconstant composition were recovered and analyzed (cf. Tables 1 and 2).

The progress of the separation process was monitored with a densitymeter, a meter for optical activity, and a conductivity meter, and theseparation was controlled by a microprocessor whereby precisely definedvolumes and flow rates of feeds, recycled liquid and product fractionswere controlled employing quantity/volume measuring, valves and pumps.

Table 1 shows the volumes of the feeds, recycled liquid and productfractions, and Table 2 shows the compositions of molasses and theproduct fractions. The sucrose and betaine fractions were recovered fromcolumn 4. Table 5 shows the colours of the molasses, residues andproduct fractions.

TABLE 1 Volumes of feeds, recycled liquid and product fractions (1) StepNo. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Molasses feed 18* — — — — — — Water feed 21 5.0 +8.5 4.0 + 8.0 5.0 26.0  25.0 0 — Raffinate fraction 18* 4.0 — — — — —from column 1 Raffinate fraction — 5.0 8.0 5.0 — 25.0 0 — from column 2,3 or 4 Betaine fraction — — — — 26.0** — — Recycle fraction 7.5 — — — —— — — Sucrose fraction 13.5 8.5 — — — — — — Recycled solution — — — —26.0  20.0 26.0*** *Total from steps 1 and 2 **Total from steps 4 and 5***Total from steps 7 and 8

TABLE 2 Compositions of feed and product fractions Other Dry SucroseBetaine substances solids (% by weight (% by weight (% by weight (kg/l)on d.s.) on d.s.) on d.s.) Molasses 0.76 58.2 5.6 36.2 feed Residue0.075 21.2 7.5 71.3 fraction Betaine 0.028 10.1 41.4 48.5 fractionSucrose 0.279 94.8 0.7 4.5 fraction

EXAMPLE 2

A pilot plant scale chromatographic test apparatus was employed. Theapparatus included three columns, feed pumps, recycling pumps, eluentwater pumps, flow and pressure regulators, and inlet and outlet valvesfor the different process streams. The flowchart is shown in FIG. 2.

The columns had been packed with a strongly acid cation exchange resin(“Purolite”). The resin had a polystyrene/divinylbenzene backbone andwas activated with sulphonic acid groups; the mean spherule size wasabout 0.36 mm. The resin had a DVB content of 5.5%. Initially the resinhad been regenerated to sodium form, and during the run it was balancedwith cations from the feed molasses.

Test conditions: Diameter of columns  200 mm Height of resin bed:columns 1 and 3 4100 mm column 2 2800 mm Temperature 75° C. Flow rates25, 35, 45, 85 and 110 l/h

The feed solution consisted of beet molasses wherefrom calcium had beenremoved by adding sodium carbonate (pH 9) and filtering the precipitateoff using diatomaceous earth as an aid.

The separation of sucrose and betaine was performed by a five-stepsequence in which each column had its specific function. As shown inFIG. 2, steps 2 and 3 each comprise one recycling phase and one feedingphase for eluent water, and step 5 two recycling phases. The duration ofthe sequence was 100 minutes and the sucrose yield 87.3% (on the amountof sucrose fed).

Step 1: Molasses was fed into column 1 at flow rate 45 l/h, and residuewas eluted from the same column (downstream end of the column);simultaneously water was supplied to column 2, and a recycling fractionand sucrose fraction were eluted from column 3 at a flow rate 85 l/h.

Step 2: Water was fed into column 2 at a rate 110 l/h, and the residuefraction was eluted from column 1; simultaneous recycling in column 3 ata rate 25 l/h.

Step 3: Recycling in columns 1 and 2 at a rate 110 l/h; simultaneouslywater was supplied to column 3 at a rate 35 l/h and the betaine fractionwas eluted from the same column.

Step 4: Water was fed into column 1 at a rate 110 l/h and into column 3at a rate 35 l/h, and the residue fraction was eluted from columns 2 and3.

Step 5: Recycling in columns 1 and 2 at a rate 110 l/h and in column 3at a rate 25 l/h.

After the sequence was completed, the process control program wascontinued and it returned to step 1. By repeating this sequence five toseven times, an equilibrium was reached in the system. The run wascontinued in a state of equilibrium, and product fractions with aconstant composition were recovered and analyzed.

Table 3 shows the volumes of the feeds, recycled solution and productfractions, and Table 4 shows the compositions of molasses and theproduct fractions. Table 5 shows the colours of the molasses, residuesand product fractions.

TABLE 3 Volumes of feeds, recycled liquid and product fractions (1) StepNo. 1 2 3 4 5 Molasses feed 18 — — — — Water feed 33.3 5.0 13.0 34.0 +10.0 — Residue fraction 18 5.0 — — — from column 1 Residue fraction — —— 34.0 + 10.0 — from column 2 or 3 Betaine fraction — — 13.0 — — Recyclefraction 7.3 — — — — Sucrose fraction 26.0 — — — — Recycled solution —6.0 26.0 — 44.0 + 5.0

TABLE 4 Compositions of feed and product fractions Other Dry SucroseBetaine substances solids (% by weight (% by weight (% by weight (kg/l)on d.s.) on d.s.) on d.s.) Molasses 0.760 57.1 5.4 37.5 feed Residue0.069 18.7 6.8 74.5 fraction Betaine 0.048 5.3 47.5 47.2 fractionSucrose 0.264 89.4 1.0 9.6 fraction

TABLE 5 Colours of molasses and product fractions colour residue residueresidue ICUMSA 1 2 3 Example 1 Molasses 47700 Residue 115400 123600151000 43324 Betaine 29900 Sucrose 2100 Example 2 Molasses 38250 Residue92500 136000 240600 25900 Betaine 21800 Sucrose 4300

EXAMPLE 3

A pilot plant scale chromatographic test apparatus was employed. Theapparatus included three columns, feed pumps, recycling pumps, eluentwater pumps, flow and pressure regulators, and inlet and outlet valvesfor the different process streams. The flowchart is shown in FIG. 3.

The columns were packed with a strongly acid cation exchange resin(“Finex”). The resin had a polystyrene/divinylbenzene backbone and wasactivated with sulphonic acid groups; the mean spherule size was about0.36 mm. The resin had a DVB content of 5.5%. Initially the resin hadbeen regenerated to sodium form, and during the run it was balanced withcations from the feed molasses.

Test conditions: Diameter of column  200 mm Height of resin bed: 5000 mmcolumns 1, 2 and 3 Temperature 75° C. Flow rates 22, 35, 40, 45, 70, 75l/h

The feed solution consisted of beet molasses wherefrom calcium had beenremoved by adding sodium carbonate (pH 9) and filtering the precipitateoff using diatomaceous earth as an aid.

The separation of sucrose and betaine was performed by a five-stepsequence in which each column had its specific function. As shown inFIG. 3, step 3 comprises one recycling phase and step 5 three recyclingphases. The duration of the sequence was 111 minutes and the sucroseyield 81.9% (on the amount of sucrose fed).

Step 1: Molasses was fed into column 1 at a flow rate 35 l/h, and therecycling fraction and sucrose fraction were eluted from column 3.

Step 2: Water was fed into column 1 at a flow rate 70 l/h and thesucrose and recycling fractions were eluted from column 3.

Step 3: Recycling in column 1 at a flow rate 70 l/h; simultaneouslywater was supplied to column 2 at a flow rate 40 l/h and the betainefraction was eluted from column 3.

Step 4: Water was fed into columns 1, 2 and 3 at flow rates 70, 75 and40 l/h, the residue fractions were eluted from columns 1, 2 and 3, andthe elution of the betaine fraction was continues from column 3.

Step 5: Recycling in columns 1, 2 and 3 at flow rates 22, 75 and 45 l/h.

After the sequence was completed, the process control program wascontinued and it returned to step 1. By repeating this sequence five toseven times, an equilibrium was reached in the system. The run wascontinued in a state of equilibrium, and product fractions with aconstant composition were recovered and analyzed.

Table 6 shows the volumes of the feeds, recycled solutions and productfractions, and Table 7 shows the compositions of the molasses andproduct fractions.

TABLE 6 Volumes of feeds, recycled liquid and product fractions (1) StepNo. 1 2 3 4 5 Molasses feed 20 Water feed 20 10 20 + 26 + 20 Residuefraction from column 1 26 from column 2 26 from column 3 15 Betainefraction 10  5 Recycle fraction 9 4 Sucrose fraction 11 16 Recycledsolution 8 11 + 12 + 11

TABLE 7 Compositions of feed and product fractions Other Dry SucroseBetaine substances solids (% by weight (% by weight (% by weight (kg/l)on d.s.) on d.s.) on d.s.) Molasses 0.754 59.6 5.6 34.8 feed Residue0.081 16.7 8.8 74.5 fraction Betaine 0.071 45.9 22.9 31.2 fractionSucrose 0.252 92.7 0.7 6.6 fraction

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for the fractionation of molassesselected from the group consisting of beet molasses, cane molasses,stillage, vinasse, wood molasses, wheat molasses, barley molasses, cornmolasses, and solutions derived from any of the preceding, comprisingthe steps of: recovering at least one product during a multi-stepsequence in two or more loops, and each loop comprising one or morechromatographic beds, columns, or parts thereof separate and distinctfrom the other loop, said loops comprising at least a first loop and asecond loop; a step comprising at least one of the following phases, afeeding phase, an eluting phase and a recycling or circulation phase,wherein liquid present in each loop comprises a separate defined drysolids profile, and said dry solids profile is recycled; said methodfurther comprising fractionating a feed solution comprising saidmolasses in said first loop into at least two fractions by achromatographic simulated moving bed process; fractionating a solutionderived from one of said fractions from said first loop in said secondloop by chromatographic fractionation into at least two other fractions;and wherein at least one of said fractions comprises a product fraction,said product fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration byweight on a dry solids basis of said product than said molasses, andsaid product fraction comprising, a greater percentage concentration byweight on a dry substance basis of said product than said otherfractions in said loops; and at least some of said steps in saidmulti-step sequence occurring sequentially or simultaneously.
 2. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein each loop comprises a series ofcolumns containing a cation exchange resin.
 3. The method as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the simulated moving bed process in said first loop isselected from the group consisting of a continuous simulated moving bedprocess and a sequential moving bed process.
 4. The method as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the chromatographic fractionation in said second loopcomprises a batch method.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe chromatographic fractionation in said second loop is selected fromthe group consisting of a continuous simulated moving bed process and asequential simulated moving bed process.
 6. The method as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said product fraction is recovered from said secondloop.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said fractionscomprises a betaine fraction and said betaine fraction comprises agreater percentage concentration of betaine by weight on a dry solidsbasis than at least one of said other fractions in said loops.
 8. Themethod as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first loop is connected inseries to said second loop.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid dry solids profile is recycled in all phases.
 10. The method asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the phases of each steps in the multi-stepsequence are the same or different.
 11. The method as claimed in claim 1wherein the loops are open or closed.
 12. The method as claimed in claim11 wherein a solution or fraction from one loop is transferred or passedto another loop when the loops are open.
 13. The method as claimed inclaim 1 wherein each loop is different than the other loop.
 14. A methodfor separating sucrose and betaine from a molasses in a chromatographicsystem, comprising the steps of: establishing a flow of liquid derivedfrom molasses and eluent through a chromatographic system in amulti-step sequence, at least some of said steps occurring sequentiallyor simultaneously, each step including at least one phase selected fromthe group consisting of a feeding phase, an eluting phase and arecycling or circulation phase; operating at least two recycling orcirculation loops within the multi-step sequence so that the liquidpresent in the recycling or circulation loops forms a separate drysolids profile; and, recovering sucrose and betaine during themulti-step sequence; said loop including at least a first loop and asecond loop, said first loop being connected in series to said secondloop, and each of said loops comprising at least one chromatographicbed, column, or part thereof which is separate and distinct from anotherloop; said method including chromatographically processing a feedcomprising said liquid derived from molasses in said first loop byfractionating said feed in said first loop into at least two fractionsby a chromatographic simulated moving bed process; chromatographicallyprocessing a liquid derived from at least one of said two fractions fromsaid first loop in said second loop by fractionating a stream comprisingsaid fraction from said first loop in said second loop into at least twoother fractions by chromatographic fractionation; one of said fractionscomprising a betaine fraction, said betaine fraction comprising agreater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of saidbetaine than said feed; and one of said fractions comprising a sucrosefraction, said sucrose fraction comprising a greater percentageconcentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said sucrose than saidfeed, and said sucrose fraction comprising a greater percentageconcentration by weight of sucrose than said other fractions in saidloops.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the simulatedmoving bed process in said first loop is selected from the groupconsisting of a continuous simulated moving bed process and a sequentialmoving bed process.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein thechromatographic fractionation in said second loop comprises a batchmethod.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein thechromatographic fractionation in said second loop is selected from thegroup consisting of a continuous simulated moving bed process and asequential simulated moving bed process.
 18. The method as claimed inclaim 14 wherein the loops are open or closed.
 19. The method as claimedin claim 18 wherein a liquid or fraction from one loop is transferred orpassed to another loop when the loops are open.
 20. The method asclaimed in claim 10 wherein said first loop is different than saidsecond loop.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein said betainefraction comprises a greater concentration by weight of betaine thansaid other fractions in said loops.
 22. A method for processing a feedsolution derived from beet molasses, comprising the steps of:chromatographically fractionating a feed solution comprising dilutedbeet molasses in a first loop into at least two fractions in amulti-step sequence comprising at least two steps occurring sequentiallyor simultaneously, said steps in said first loop comprising a feedingphase in said first loop, an eluent water phase in said first loop, arecycling or circulation phase in said first loop, or a recovery phaseof fractions in said first loop; chromatographically fractionating astream derived from at least one of said fractions from said first loopin a second loop into at least two other fractions in a multi-stepsequence comprising at least two steps occurring sequentially orsimultaneously, said steps in said second loop comprising a feedingphase wherein said stream derived from one of said fractions from saidfirst loop is fed into said second loop, an eluent water phase in saidsecond loop, a recycling or circulation phase in said second loop, or arecovery phase of fractions in said second loop; one of said fractionscomprising a betaine fraction, said betaine fraction comprising agreater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of saidbetaine than said feed solution, said betaine fraction comprising agreater concentration by weight on a dry solids basis than some of saidother fractions in said loops; one of said fractions comprising asucrose fraction, said sucrose fraction comprising a greaterconcentration by weight on a dry solids basis of sucrose than some ofsaid other fractions in said loops; each loop comprising a series ofcolumns, beds, or parts thereof, said second loop having at least onecolumn, bed, or part thereof, separate and apart from said first loop;said first and second loops being connected in series to each other; andeach loop having a separate dry solids profile.
 23. The method asclaimed in claim 22 wherein said sucrose fraction comprises a greaterpercentage concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said sucrosethan in said feed solution.
 24. The method as claimed in claim 22wherein the loops are open or closed.
 25. The method as claimed in claim24 wherein a stream, solution or fraction from one loop is transferredor passed to another loop when the loops are open.
 26. The method asclaimed in claim 22 wherein said first loop is different than saidsecond loop.
 27. A method for the fractionation of molasses selectedfrom the group consisting of beet molasses, cane molasses, stillage,vinasse wood molasses, wheat molasses, barley molasses, corn molasses,and solutions derived from any of the preceding, comprising the stepsof: recovering at least one product during at least one step in two ormore loops, each loop being different than the other loop, and each loopcomprising one or more chromatographic beds, columns, or parts thereofseparate and distinct from the other loop, said loops comprising atleast a first loop and a second loop; a step comprising at least one ofthe following phases, a feeding phase, an eluting phase and a recyclingphase, wherein liquid present in each loop comprises a separate defineddry solids profile, and said dry solids profile is recycled in therecycling phase of the loop; said method further comprising feeding afeed solution comprising said molasses into said first loop,fractionating said feed solution comprising said molasses in said firstloop into at least two fractions by a chromatographic simulated movingbed process; feeding a liquid comprising at least one of said twofractions from said first loop into said second loop, and fractionatingsaid fraction from said first loop in said second loop bychromatographic fractionation into at least two other fractions; andwherein at least one of said fractions comprises a product fraction saidproduct fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weighton a dry solids basis of said product than said molasses, and saidproduct fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weighton a dry substance basis of said product than said other fractions insaid loops.
 28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein a stepcomprises at least one of a molasses feeding phase, one or more feedingphases of an eluant liquid, and a recovery phase of at least oneproduct.
 29. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein a step includesone or more recycling phases, and a feeding phase for eluent liquid anda product recovery phase.
 30. The method as claimed in claim 27, whereinthe product is selected from the group consisting of sucrose andbetaine.
 31. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein at least onestep comprises a plurality of recycling phases.
 32. The method asclaimed in claim 27, including five to ten steps.
 33. The method asclaimed in claim 27, said steps are repeated five to seven times inorder to reach an equilibrium in the system, and the method is continuedin the state of equilibrium reached.
 34. The method as claimed in claim27, wherein the system comprises three to twelve chromatographic beds.35. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein each loop comprises aseries of columns containing a cation exchange resin.
 36. The method asclaimed in claim 27 wherein a strongly acid cation exchange resincomprises said beds.
 37. The method as claimed in claim 36, wherein saidstrong cation exchange resin is in monovalent form.
 38. The method asclaimed in claim 37, wherein said monovalent form is selected from thegroup consisting of sodium, potassium and mixtures thereof.
 39. Themethod as claimed in claim 27, wherein the flow rate of the liquid inthe beds is 0.5-20 m³/h/m².
 40. The method as claimed in claim 27,wherein the temperature of the feed solution and eluant water about40-95° C.
 41. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the feedsolution dry solids content is 20-80% by weight.
 42. The method asclaimed in claim 27, wherein the flow rate in the beds is 0.5-10m³/h/m².
 43. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the feedsolution is 20 to 65% by weight dry solids.
 44. The method as claimed inclaim 27, wherein the system comprises three to six chromatographicbeds.
 45. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the temperature ofthe feed and eluant is about 40 to 85° C.
 46. The method as claimed inclaim 27 wherein the simulated moving bed process in said first loop isselected from the group consisting of a continuous simulated moving bedprocess and a sequential moving bed process.
 47. The method as claimedin claim 27 wherein the chromatographic fractionation in said secondloop comprises a batch method.
 48. The method as claimed in claim 27wherein the chromatographic fractionation in said second loop isselected from the group consisting of a continuous simulated moving bedprocess and a sequential simulated moving bed process.
 49. The method asclaimed in claim 27 wherein said product fraction is recovered from saidsecond loop.
 50. The method as claimed in claim 27 wherein one of saidfractions comprises a betaine fraction and said betaine fractioncomprises a greater percentage concentration of betaine by weight on adry solids basis than said other fractions in said loops.
 51. The methodas claimed in claim 27 wherein said first loop is connected in series tosaid second loop.
 52. A method for separating sucrose and betaine from aliquid derived from molasses in a chromatographic system, comprising thesteps of: establishing a flow of liquid derived from molasses and eluentthrough a chromatographic system in a multi-step process, each stepincluding at least one phase selected from the group consisting of afeeding phase, an eluting phase and a recycling phase; operating atleast two recycling loops within the multi-step process so that theliquid present in the recycling loops forms a separate dry solidsprofile; and, recovering sucrose and betaine during the multi-stepprocess; said loops including at least a first loop and a second loop,said first loop being connected in series to said second loop, saidfirst loop being different than said second loop, and each of said loopscomprising a different series of chromatographic beds, columns, or partsthereof, said method including chromatographically processing a feedcomprising said liquid derived from molasses in said first loop byfractionating said feed in said first loop into at least two fractionsby a chromatographic simulated moving bed process; chromatographicallyprocessing at least one of said two fractions from said first loop insaid second loop by fractionating a stream comprising said fraction fromsaid first loop in said second loop into at least two other fractions bychromatographic fractionation; one of said fractions comprising abetaine fraction, said betaine fraction comprising a greater percentageconcentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said betaine than saidfeed, and said betaine fraction comprising a greater concentration byweight of betaine than said other fractions in said loops; and one ofsaid fractions comprising a sucrose fraction, said sucrose fractioncomprising a greater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solidsbasis of said sucrose than said liquid, and said sucrose fractioncomprising a greater percentage concentration by weight of sucrose thansaid other fractions in said loops.
 53. The method as claimed in claim52, wherein one of said fractions is selected from the group consistingof a residue fraction and a raffinate fraction.
 54. The method asclaimed in claim 52 wherein the simulated moving bed process in saidfirst loop is selected from the group consisting of a continuoussimulated moving bed process and a sequential moving bed process. 55.The method as claimed in claim 52 wherein the chromatographicfractionation in said second loop comprises a batch method.
 56. Themethod as claimed in claim 52 wherein the chromatographic fractionationin said second loop is selected from the group consisting of acontinuous simulated moving bed process and a sequential simulatedmoving bed process.
 57. A method for processing a feed solution derivedfrom beet molasses, comprising the steps of: chromatographicallyfractionating a feed solution comprising diluted beet molasses in afirst loop into at least two fractions in a process compromising one ormore phases occurring sequentially or continuously, said phases beingselected from the group consisting of a feeding phase in said firstloop, an eluent water phase in said first loop, a recycling phase insaid first loop, and a recovery phase of fractions in said first loop;chromatographically fractionating at least one of said fractions fromsaid first loop in a second loop into at least two other fractions in aa feeding phase wherein a stream derived from one of said fractions fromsaid first loop is fed into said second loop, an eluent water phase insaid second loop, a recycling phase in said second loop, and a recoveryphase of fractions in said second loop; one of said fractions comprisinga betaine fraction, said betaine fraction comprising a greaterpercentage concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said betainethan said feed solution, said betaine fraction comprising a greaterconcentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said betaine than saidstream fed into said second loop, and said betaine fraction comprising agreater concentration by weight of betaine than said other fractions insaid loops; one of said fractions comprising a sucrose fraction, saidsucrose fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weighton a dry solids basis of said sucrose than said feed solution, saidsucrose fraction comprising a greater concentration by weight on a drysolids basis of sucrose than said stream fed into said second loop, andsaid sucrose fraction comprising a greater concentration by weight on adry solids basis of sucrose than other fractions in said loops; eachloop comprising a series of columns, beds, or parts thereof, said secondloop having at least one column, bed, or part thereof, separate andapart from said first loop; said first and second loops being connectedin series to each other, and said first loop being different than saidsecond loop; and each loop having a different dry solids profile. 58.The method as claimed in claim 57, wherein chromatographicallyfractionating in each loop is selected from the group consisting of: asequential chromatographic simulated moving bed process and a continuouschromatographic simulated moving bed process.
 59. The method as claimedin claim 57, wherein one of said fractions is selected from the groupconsisting of a residue fraction and a raffinate fraction.
 60. Themethod as claimed in claim 57, wherein said fraction from said firstloop that is fed and fractionated in said second loop comprises sucroseand betaine.
 61. The method as claimed in claim 57, wherein said sucrosefraction is recovered from said second loop.
 62. The method as claimedin claim 57, wherein said betaine fraction is withdrawn from said secondloop.
 63. The method as claimed in claim 57, wherein said loops areselected from the group consisting of closed loops, open loops, andcombinations thereof.
 64. The method as claimed in claim 57, whereinsaid loops comprise successive loops.
 65. The method as claimed in claim57, wherein said columns comprise one or more partial packing materialbeds.
 66. The method as claimed in claim 57, wherein during a step saidloops are in the same or different phases.
 67. The method as claimed inclaim 57, wherein said fraction from said first loop is fed to saidsecond loop when said first and second loops are open.
 68. The method asclaimed in claim 57, wherein said bed comprises a cation exchange resin.69. The method as claimed in claim 57, where said feed comprises 20%-65%beet molasses by weight on a dry solids basis.
 70. The method as claimedin claim 69, wherein said feed is heated to 40°-95° C. before being fedto said first loop.
 71. The method as claimed in claim 69, wherein thereare three successive loops.